Strangely, though, from what I've read, the theory that Nero was the antichrist only began circulating in the 1800's. St. Irenaeus, who lived in the second half of the 100's, discussed the possibilities of the antichrist but never named Nero. Here he is talking about the number 666 and the antichrist: "^It is therefore more certain, and less hazardous, to await the fulfilment of the prophecy, than to be making surmises, and casting about for any names that may present themselves, inasmuch as many names can be found possessing the number mentioned; and the same question will, after all, remain unsolved. For if there are many names found possessing this number, it will be asked which among them shall the coming man bear. It is not through a want of names containing the number of that name that I say this, but on account of the fear of God, and zeal for the truth: for the name Evanthas (ΕΥΑΝΘΑΣ) contains the required number, but I make no allegation regarding it. Then also Lateinos (ΛΑΤΕΙΝΟΣ) has the number six hundred and sixty-six; and it is a very probable [solution], this being the name of the last kingdom [of the four seen by Daniel]. For the Latins are they who at present bear rule: I will not, however, make any boast over this [coincidence]. Teitan too, (ΤΕΙΤΑΝ, the first syllable being written with the two Greek vowels ε and ι, among all the names which are found among us, is rather worthy of credit. For it has in itself the predicted number, and is composed of six letters, each syllable containing three letters; and [the word itself] is ancient, and removed from ordinary use; for among our kings we find none bearing this name Titan, nor have any of the idols which are worshipped in public among the Greeks and barbarians this appellation. Among many persons, too, this name is accounted divine, so that even the sun is termed “Titan” by those who do now possess [the rule]. This word, too, contains a certain outward appearance of vengeance, and of one inflicting merited punishment because he (Antichrist) pretends that he vindicates the oppressed. And besides this, it is an ancient name, one worthy of credit, of royal dignity, and still further, a name belonging to a tyrant. Inasmuch, then, as this name “Titan” has so much to recommend it, there is a strong degree of probability, that from among the many [names suggested], we infer, that perchance he who is to come shall be called “Titan.” We will not, however, incur the risk of pronouncing positively as to the name of Antichrist; for if it were necessary that his name should be distinctly revealed in this present time, it would have been announced by him who beheld the apocalyptic vision. For that was seen no very long time since, but almost in our day, towards the end of Domitian’s reign." It's certainly interesting, the point he makes that John could have revealed the name but chose not to. Therefore it's not necessary to know beforehand. If Nero fits the description of the antichrist very well, he must have been a strong type of the antichrist, or a partial revealing of him, as he has revealed himself sort of simultaneously throughout history. But Nero the individual isn't that important, and perhaps the one at the end isn't either. The obvious one behind the antichrist is Satan, and we will know him by his works and his fruits. Our job is to remain faithful to Christ and rely on Him humbly to guide us through whatever happens.
I am not saying everything in this video is true, but if time is an axis we experience linearly but can be manipulated. It can then be another axis on the chess board between good and evil. Possibly explaining why it seems like the Book of Revelation folds in on itself. What looks like seemingly different things are in fact one thing. Which adds to what PurpleFlower was saying earlier. I would also shed light on why some things are so eerily predictive, like the move snake eyes.
Couple of thoughts - 1) just as there are many gods (little g) to people but only one God could there be many anti christs through history (litttle a) could there not be one final Antichrist? 2) I read somewhere (maybe here) that the Venezuelan mystic said of her country that “it would start here” this is American warships are outside of Venezuela. 3) my personal thought is the US will be brought down by civil war (there is to much hate for one side against another now) and natural disasters so the US will be unable to respond in the final battle of Armageddon.
Here is an example of what I mean. In 14:8 an angel announces "Babylon is fallen" right after the 7 trumpets. Then the 7 bowls get poured out, and then in 16:19 "God remembered Babylon". But the subsequent lines after 16:9 are clearly referring to what happens when the 7th bowl is poured out. It is like as though God made a move earlier on, like in a chess game, which would set up the WOB to fall later. This move made it an absolute certainty. So the angel announces that the WoB in 14:8 has fallen, but in actuality the fall of the WoB doesn't commence until before the 7th bowl is poured out. But because God stands outside of time, He sees the move that He made earlier and the final outcome of it at the same time.
The angel says that the sins of Babylon have piled up to heaven, a figurative language that may indicate successive eras or at least centuries or years. Our Lord states that He gave some time for the church of Thyatira to repent. In both cases, we do not know the exact period in which these central elements of the Book of Revelation coexisted with the Church of Christ, but we have the idea that they may have a timeless existence that spans many years. In the case of the Antichrist, however, his timeless existence may be related to a context of re-signification across different eras. Nevertheless, there will be a final, very specific one who will be defeated by the splendor of Christ’s coming.
Exactly, and the beast has had several successions as well. We know the different heads of the beast correlate with successive empires as mentioned in Daniel. The application of the seals/trumpets/bowls may have been applied at different times during the existence of these successive empires too.
May I suggest the Marian News channel on youtube for your consideration. Forum member AED recently recommended this channel run by a Carmelite Sister. I used to follow her some years ago. She is Sister Anne of YHWH and she actually was released from her Carmelite Order because she wanted to set up a new religious Order in the Catholic Church. What is distinctive about this is that she intends a complete new Rule for the Order. I think I am correct in saying that all of the Religious Orders in the Church fall under one of the 6 existing Rules or Constitutions. So the end-times are ripe for the seventh Rule. This Rule is for the Order of the Mother of God. It is intended that the Rule / Order is for both lay people and religious (unlike the existing Rules - although they do allow a secular or 3rd order category). The purpose of the Order of the Mother of God is to prepare people for these end-times. Sister Anne spent many years preparing the Rule for this Order and also researching Marian Apparitions - especially La Salette (where she has undertaken to provide expert translations from French into English of the messages). She had been seeking a Bishop to work under and she has moved about quite a bit in order to find a suitable Bishop. However, I do not know how successful she has been in these aims or what the status of her Order is at the moment. In any case, she has a whole play-list (18 videos) on the Book of Revelation which may indeed be worth some study. The playlist is entitled, 'Mary Unveils the Apocalypse'. It is also indeed based on the messages given to Fr. Gobbi. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgfKsM6-XzkWCUSDK49fg_eqqP42lh7_n&si=inJTZvsO3J_TX-a-
God scattered and confused humanity at Babel. The verse in Genesis 11, "And they said to one another, 'Come, let us make bricks and bake them in the fire.'" Some interpretations suggest that the true translation reflects an imperative or exhortative form of the verb, indicating a joint and urgent action: make bricks! Man builds a tower to reach heaven. The peoples of the earth have agreed, guided by their rulers, who tell them to "make bricks." That was the new construction technology, lightweight baked clay, and that was the rulers' decision: to enslave the people to face God face to face. It is a simile of what is happening in our times. Man wants to be eternal and, with his technology, create a parallel virtual universe that joins the physical one and inhabits it. He trusts AI more than God Himself. Divine judgment will be clear. At Babel he scattered and confused them.
Im so glad you have posted this. I find her so compelling. So much of LaSalette was repressed and the seers reputations destroyed by bad bishops in France. And her info on the messages to Fr Gobbi is particularly good.
This is a very interesting point. I saw something recently, that Satan results because God has boundaries. God is loving, so Satan is hateful and so on. Outside the boundaries/nature of God, Satan exists gnashing his teeth. While there is an attempt to make a tower to heaven from bricks, it is ultimately unsuccessful because evil is always outside the boundary of God. It would not matter what was built, it would always fail unless it is in alignment with God. Which would mean understanding and respecting our place in relation to God as well as the Nature and Will of God Himself. Another form of this is empire building. The leaders of these empires had often declared themselves to be God or gave themselves attributes that only God should have. And, for a time the peoples are subjugated and forced to do the will of a man. But every time those empires collapsed. The dire times in each of those empires likely rivaled those of today who often saw no way out. Essentially, we cannot use evil to reach God regardless of the quantity.
Excellent quote. It isn't just some kind of fluffy piety, it is a fundamental law. Revelation 18 The Finality of Babylon’s Doom 21 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. 22 The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No worker of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again. 23 The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s important people. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray. 24 In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.” From these verses it can be implied that the WoB has existed for a very long time, as the blood of prophets are contained within her. As well, some kind of "magic spell" has been keeping people astray for eons. God had been entering into our physical reality for ages sharing the truth, however the WoB had been containing it using a proverbial "tower of Babylon". However, eventually it is crushed, and what it intended to place on humanity is placed on itself. We can see this as limited only to God's judgement. But it can also be at the same time a choice that the WoB has made for itself. It chooses to act outside of God and it receives it. Which I believe means they are trying to literally bring hell on earth.
